Illuminated automobile license plate



Jan'. 17, 192s. 1,656,635

B. E. HILL ILLUMINATED AUTOMOBILE LICENSE PLATE Filed Dec. .22. 1926 www@ TOR

BY A. I/ ma" I l I A TORNEY Patented Jan. 17, 192s.

f urmanV "STATES BIBDI E. nim., 'oF GUTHRIE, KENTUCKY.

VApplication led December This invention relates to signs'for auto-y mobiles and has for one of its objects the provision of an illuminated license plate. f

Another object of the invention is the rolvision of a' reflector, for directing light v.against the rear surface of a translucentlicense plate. i

A still further object of the invention: is the provision of a translucent license plate having openings therein for permitting light directed by a" reflector to be ejected therethrough.

Fig. 3,' is a transverse sectional view taken' on the-line 3 3 yof Fig. 2, and

Fig.lv 4, is a longitudinal sectional viewA taken 4on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.u

Referring particularly to the drawing the numeral 10 designates,v a platel preferably of translucent glass having spaced 'bottom Aand side apertures 12.l and 13* respectively. The plate 10 is mounted in an-open side of a rectangular box 14 aand isretained in vertical position by the rim 15\which engages the outer surface near the edges of the plate and the longitudinal angular braces 15 and Y 16 mounted on the inner surface of the top i and bottom respectively of the box 14. Upon the plate 10 may be cutin and painted a y -license number or sign-of anydesired description'. Clamping brackets 17 and 18 are rigidly mounted ony the'top of the b ox 14 adjacentthe rear side thereofior V attaching gie device to anv automobile as shown in A bulbsocket 19 isimo'unted at the central'portion ofthe rear wall of lthe `box14 and isprovided with a bulb 20 directed outwardly toward the! translucent plate 10.

' Within the boxlO is adjustably mounted a reflector holder 21, slidably held by the angle brackets 22 mounted on theend of the box .11 and the longitudinal spring strips 23 and 24 mounted on the angle brackets 15 and 16 respectively# The spring strips 23, and'24 ILLUMINATED aUToMoBILE LICENSE PLATE.-

22,'1926. Serial No. 156,373.

flector25 and the holder 21 respectively to vaccommodate the socket 19 and are `extended sufficiently to permit rotation ofsaid reflector andholder. A shaft 27 is journaled in the right hand end of the box as viewed in Fig. 4 and; is provided at its outer end with To the inner end of .a knob or handle 28.

the shaft-28 is rigidly attached a pinion 29 'i having teeth 30 thereon in` mesh with the teeth 31l on the convex surface of the' re- `lector holder 21.l It should be understood that the reflector and holder therefor as shown in Fig. 3 are in their central position and that by rotation of the knob 28` and the pinion 30 connected therewith the reflector may be rotated in veither a clockwise or anticlockwise direction as-desired.

The. light from the bulb 2O illuminates the interior of the box 14 and that portion of translucent plate 14' that is not painted or otherwise rendered opaque. The lettering may lbe applied to the exterior'or interior surface of the plate 10 as desired. Thus the figures appear dark upon the illuminated .'background. ,The reflector 25 isprovided with atlower reflecting surface 33 which is adapted t0 vbe adjustably positioned by manipulation of the pinion 29 to directrays ofthe light through the lower slots 12 in the translucent plate 10 forprojecting rays of y light therethrough in advance of the auto` Amobile on the roadupon which lthe car is l' running. It should be understood that the device may bemounted on lthe rear of the automobile if desired and in that case the rays of light would be directly behlndfthe car.

vsiredfto be secured by Letters lPatent of the United States is:A v y 4 Y 1. In 'adevice' of the class described, a license plate holder comprising a box having an open side, an adjustable reflector f"mounted in said box, a translucent plate dis- Having thus fully shown and, described an embodiment of `my'invention what-is 'def posed overthe open side of said box having l spaced lower apertures therein to permit d irect ejection of rays of light through said translucent plate onto an automobile road, A

an electric light bulb in said box adapted to illuminate the interior thereof and said -resiliently contact with the' inner concave plate, spaced rellecting surfaces on said ad- I lsurface of a glass reflector member 25 lmounted on the holder 21 as shown in Fig. n .i 3. Slots- 26 and 26 are provided in the remeans for rotating said reilectorto vanably l110 x I' l! i A instable reflector adapted to direct rays of light through said lower apertures, and

direct rays of light through said lower apertures.

2. In a device of theclass described a license plate holder comprising a box, having an open side, a translucent plate having spaced lower openings therein, a concave refiector holder extending longitudinall of said box and adjustabl mounted therein, a lamp mounted in said ox and disposed between said reilector holder and said plate, a shaft journaled in said box, a handle mounted o n the outer end of said shaft, -a pinion rigidly Amounted on the inner end of said shaft; teeth on the convex surface of said reflector Vholder adapted to mesh with the teeth of said pinion for adjustably positioning said reflector, a reiecting surface mounted on said reflector holder adapted to direct rays of light through said lower openings, said reflector holder being adjustable to variably direct rays of light through said lower a ertures, and figures painted on said trans ucent plate adapted to be rendered conspicuous by illumination thereof. A

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature.

' BIRDIE E. HILL. 

